Get to know Downtown Pomona

Downtown Pomona is home to a friendly, tight-knit community with up and coming businesses scattered throughout the string light lined sidewalks.

From campus, head east on Holt Avenue or Mission Boulevard to discover the social hub filled with restaurants, shops and events perfect for college students.

Eateries

A quick bite before school or a specialty Cuban coffee can be found at Mi Cafecito. Located on the corner of Main Street and 1st Street, the coffee shop has a Latin flair and serves local favorites such as abuelita hot chocolate, café de olla and pan dulce. Tim Sandoval, the mayor of Pomona, frequents the Pomona staple.

Also inspired by Latin cuisine, Dia De Los Puercos recently secured their spot in Downtown Pomona on 2nd Street. Street-style food found in East LA from tacos and nachos to elote and tortas is served. The “El Homie” burrito is a well-known item on the “muchos munchies” menu.

Take a break from the Mexican food and try the Vietnamese delicacies served at Pho Vina Noodleand Grill located on the corner of Thomas and Main streets. The famous house special combo pho features beef balls, rare steak eye round, tendon and flank.

Egg rolls and broken rice are specialties also served at Pho Vina.

Antique Row

Once you satisfy your appetite, you can take a walk down 2nd Street to Antique Row to find rare furniture and clothes. Antique Row has three stores filled with art, furniture and clothes including Persnickety Antiquity located on 180 E 2nd St.

Persnickety Antiquity is a well-known antique store with everything from vintage rocking chairs to light fixtures and action figures.

Entertainment

Also located on 2nd Street, The Glasshouse is a local favorite and a music appreciator’s dream.

With an adjacent record store, the intimate concert venue provides a unique experience where artists like Snakehips, LANY and The Growlers have performed.

Another local concert venue is the Fox Theatre which has been thriving in Downtown Pomona since 1931. Odesza and Duran Duran have headlined here. Weddings and quinceañeras are commonly hosted at the theater as well.

Bookstores

Downtown Pomona is also a sweet spot for bibliophiles searching for their next read. Two local bookstores across the street from each other provide shelves of new, used and rare books.

Café con Libros is designed in three different sections perfect for studying, babysitting or shopping for stationery.

Magic Door Books IV is where you will find a black cat named Charlie Girl roaming around the store’s rare newspaper articles, poetry, books of different genres and CDs.

Magic Door Books IV is one of some popular bookstores. (Elizabeth Hernandez | The Poly Post)

Clubs

When the sun goes down the party is just getting started in Downtown Pomona whether you want to grab a drink at Homage Brewery or watch a game at Pizza, Beer and Wings.

Dance the night away at the different clubs and lounges.

Carnaval is the place to be if you’re in for a night of endless Latin music and dancing. 340 is a nightclub that host drag queen karaoke and is 18+ with valid ID.

The Shisha Room has a club atmosphere and doubles as a hookah lounge.

There is something for everyone in Downtown Pomona. Give El Homie a try during your next gap between classes or visit The Glasshouse to add to your vinyl collection.